GUWAHATI, Dec 16: Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, also known as one of the Jewels of India, is no more. He breathed his last in a San Francisco hospital after he was admitted for heart related problems.
He was undergoing treatment at the hospital for the past two weeks and was later shifted to the ICU after his condition deteriorated where he breathed his last, his family confirmed on Monday.
Son of legendary tabla master Ustad Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain was born on March 9, 1951, his groundbreaking work with several Western musicians took Indian classical music to international audiences.
He won four Grammy awards, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.
He is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
Meanwhile, tributes poured in from various quarters following the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain.
“Zakir Bhai ! He left too soon. Yet we are grateful for the times he gave us and what he left behind in the form of his art. Goodbye and Thank you,” wrote veteran actor Kamal Haasan on ‘X’.
“India has lost its cultural rhythm keeper 😢 Rest in peace maestro 🙏,” actor Randeep Hooda stated in a social media post.
“The passing away of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab leaves our world of culture poorer… The passing away of Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab leaves our world of culture poorer,” wrote Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on ‘X’.
Actor Anupam Kher also offered his condolences at the passing away of the tabla maestro.
